I was touched by the many responses from you, when I asked you to share something that you are thankful for in this new year.

Deacon Horace Wright, who has been on dialysis for nearly 20 years, is so happy to be alive and living an abundant life, he can’t wait to reach out to others who are less fortunate. Three times every week, Wright journeys to Trinity Church on U.S. 441 in North Miami, where he sets up the machine for his own dialysis, encourages those around him who might seem a little depressed and then goes through the three hours and 45 minutes-long treatment to cleanse his blood.

"I know that on any given day, I could be the one who doesn’t make it back home," he said. "But I am so thankful that God has brought me this far, that I have a good and faithful wife, Judy, who cares and helps to keep me encouraged."

On one recent Sunday, Wright had to go for his treatment at 3 a.m. At 9 a.m. on the same day, he and his wife were pulling into the parking lot of The Church of God Tabernacle in Liberty City, where he serves as a deacon. It was a day of blessings. Wright, also one of the church’s musicians, walked like a man in his 20’s, free of any sickness. He walked over to the drums, nodding to everyone and flashing his wide, warm smile as he took his seat and the music started. His wife Judy was on the program to give a short testimony. She spoke of how her husband didn’t "miss a beat," that morning after being on dialysis for almost four hours.

"He came home, I made him breakfast and he rested a bit, and here we are, in church. I thank God for that," she said. Her husband smiled and nodded his agreement.

"Everyday is a day to give God thanks," Wright said.

The sky above

And here’s one from my former editor Maria Garcia: "I thank God for the blue sky above me as I drive to work or walk around the block. I especially thank Him for having known so many wonderful people throughout my life — you among them."

Local Jewish history

Temple Judea at 5500 Granada Blvd. in Coral Gables, will present Deborah Dash Moore in a lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Her topic is: "To the Golden City of Miami." Moore’s appearance at the temple is a part of the Baskin Memorial Lecture.

In her talk Moore, who has been a central voice in the emergence of the field of American Jewish history from the last quarter of the 20th century, will explore the circumstances that have created a unique new American Jewish identity in Miami.

An author and conference leader, Moore volunteers her time to advise graduate students and young scholars and has directed major programs and institutions that dealt with the experience of Jews in America.

She currently is the Frederick C.L. Huetwell Professor of History at the University of Michigan, where she also directs the Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies. She is the author of "To the Golden Cities: Pursuing the American Jewish Dream in Miami and L.A."; and is the coauthor of "Cityscapes: A History of New York in Images", and is coauthor of the award-winning Jewish Women in America: An History Encyclopedia. Her edited works include "American Jewish Identity Politics and "Gender and Jewish History."

The lecture is free and open to the public. To make reservations or for more information email Anna at: edoffice@judeagables.org, or call 305-667-5657.